One of the great pleasures in life is eating a vine-ripended tomato out of your own garden. It is the goal of just about every gardener (along with how early you can pick it compared to your neighbor). Though if you are not able to grow your own fresh vegetables, but still like the idea of eating the freshest food available, then you probably rely somewhat on Farmer's Markets for purchasing them. The wonderful thing about local farmer's markets is the variety you see there.

If I go to a farmer's market alone, I will gleefully pick out what looks good to me and not worry about the price. If my husband is with me, he will veto 70% of what I look at as too expensive, thinking he can get it cheaper at Walmart. Of course, he is right sometimes, which just feeds his frugal fuel. But is he really right? The last time he compared prices, onions were cheaper in the big box store, but only by a few cents. And this big box store is a 45 minute drive from our house, so if that was the only reason to go that far, I don't think it would weigh out being cheaper considering all that gas. Of course, not everyone lives so far from a grocery store, and it may balance out differently for you. If your Farmer's Market is close by, the fun of shopping at one is well worth going.

If you have set your heart on an heirloom tomato though, you might want to take a closer look. I was recently surprized to find a display of heirloom tomatoes in a Safeway Market. I don't think I would have been quite so surprized if we lived in a major food producing state, but we don't. I thought it was wonderful to have them available here. They looked good, but I didn't taste them, so I don't know if they tasted good. I took a picture of the display to share with all of you:

There are so many auxilliary benefits when you raise your own food at home. It is not just the cost of the food (that usually goes down), but the being outdoors for some healthy sunshine and excersise, helping to replenish the earth, recycling waste into something good, the pride of accomplishment, the ease of being able to get it fresh right off the vine. You can go out to your garden or greenhouse and see what is ready to be harvested, then go back into the kitchen to plan a meal around them.

Zuccini and tomatoes are usually ready at the same time, so you can make a ratatouille (a vegetable dish baked in the oven). While it's baking, you can carry your trimming scraps out to the composter and maybe think about tomorrow's dinner, or even breakfast. A Spinach omelet is delicious, even to people who don't like spinach. Some people will eat anything if you put cheese in it. You can make a pizza with fresh tomato slices laid on last, they add a fresh tangy sweetness to the pizza. Or just a simple dish of fresh tomato quarters and cottage cheese. Fresh Spinach and other greens salads, etc.....

Take Eating Well to the highest level possible, in your own backyard. If you like to eat out, do it in your back yard or patio! Make it into a memorable meal with a bottle of chilled wine. Vegetables and wine compliment each other. Besides, you can save a lot of time & money by eating at home.